Clint will keep ACES in cards
TAMPA — Clint Frazier plans to stick with his representation — even though the scandalplagued ACES sports agency is currently under investigation.
“From what I’ve been told it’s all a shakedown,” Frazier said Friday. “The guy wants money. It happened six years ago.”
Juan Carlos Nunez has sued the Levinson brothers, Sam and Seth, who run ACES, alleging that they urged him to engage in illegal activity — including seeking PEDS for their clients.
Asked if he’s ever been offered PEDs by ACES, Frazier responded, “no.”
“It all happened when I was 18. As far as I know the guy was an independent contractor,” Frazier, 23, said. “They opened up a $5 million investigation in the past. I talked to Sam on the phone two nights ago and he made it pretty clear that nothing’s going to come out of this and they feel pretty confident moving forward.
“I believe everything he’s saying, and I don’t think there’s going to be a problem, to be honest.”
PROSPECT SHOT
Thairo Estrada, a Yankees prospect who was expected to compete for a starting job on the infield this spring, avoided disaster after being shot in the right hip during a botched robbery attempt during late January in his hometown of Bejuma, Venezuela.
Estrada is in camp, and the hope is that he’ll be able to play the bulk of the season.
“We’re just really thankful that he’s OK,” Aaron Boone said. “Mentally and emotionally he’s doing well.”
A pair of young teens approached Estrada and his wife as they were ordering food at a restaurant, and demanded cash and Estrada’s cell phone. Estrada didn’t have either.
“No struggle. It just happened quickly,” Estrada said through a translator. “They asked for the money and my phone. They searched my pockets. That’s when I got shot.”
Estrada didn’t know if either of the teens knew who he was. His wife, who was close by, wasn’t hurt.
He didn’t even realize he’d been shot until he noticed the hole and a wound.
“Right after it happened, I didn’t have any feeling. I was walking around fine,” Estrada said. “I went to the hospital, they did some tests and that’s when they noticed there was a bullet inside. They did an operation and I was in the hospital for a few days.”
The bullet is still lodged in his right hip, and it is expected to stay there, as no other surgeries are scheduled. “I don’t think it will affect me at all,” Estrada said.
“The situation out there (in Venezuela is not very good, not very safe. As baseball players, it makes you think about not even going back anymore.”
Said Estrada of his recovery: “It has been very good, thank God. I believe next week I’m going to jump on the bike. As far as the recuperation, I’m very happy.”
Estrada arrived in Tampa on Feb. 2. The 21-yearold, whom the organization is high on, hit .301 with six homers for Double-A Trenton last season.
The Bombers could open the 2018 campaign with highly-touted rookies Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar at second and third. But it’s also possible they could add a more established veteran infielder to the mix.
Mike Moustakas and Neil Walker are out there, but they’d each presumably have to settle for a one-year deal in the Bronx. Superstar Manny Machado is a free agent in 2019, and the Yankees could pursue him.
The other infielders at camp are Ronald Torreyes, Tyler Wade, Danny Espinosa and Jace Peterson.
IN THE PEN
CC Sabathia (ankle) threw a bullpen on Friday, and appeared to get through it without issue. … Boone said Danny Espinosa is “absolutely competing” for a role on the team.